CHARGERS’ PLAYOFF HOPES REQUIRE MUCH ASSISTANCE

Team needs to win out and get lots of help from Dolphins, Ravens

NFL playoff scenarios

Six degrees of separation lie between the Chargers and the postseason.

There is a 3.0 percent chance the two sides will meet, according to Football Outsiders.

A Monday night win by Baltimore hurt San Diego’s chances to snap a three-year playoff drought. It needs six results in two weeks to earn a wild-card spot, controlling one-third of its own fate.

At this time in 2012, the Chargers had just been mathematically eliminated, dropping to 5-9 on a home loss to the Panthers. Last week’s win in Denver effectively kept the team in the hunt longer in the first year of coach Mike McCoy’s tenure.

To step foot in the playoffs, the Chargers need to cross an old, rickety rope bridge in the rain. One misstep, and it’s over.

• On Sunday, the Chargers (7-7) must beat the Raiders (4-10) at home. The Dolphins (8-6) must lose to or tie the Bills (5-9) in Buffalo. The Ravens (8-6) must lose to or tie the Patriots (10-4) in Baltimore. The Dolphins-Bills game takes place Sunday morning, so it’s possible the Chargers will be eliminated from the playoffs before the end of pregame warm-ups.

• On Dec. 29, the Chargers must beat the Chiefs (11-3) at home. The Dolphins must lose to or tie the Jets (6-8) in Miami. The Ravens must lose to or tie the Bengals (9-5) in Cincinnati.